This is one of those destinations that I could only dream about a few years
ago. In fact my impression of Bulgaria is of a backward, poor 3rd world
country whose culture has been frozen in time for the past 50 years while
the country was under Russian communistic domination. I’m on ther plane in
Pocatello and we’re taxiing out to the runway for departure. This will get
sent once we land in Salt Lake City.

The say didn’t get off to a sterling start. I took the wrong set of pills
before I went to bed last night — rather than the evening set, I took the
morning set whuch includes a water pill. Consequently, I had to get up
three times during the night to go to the bathroom. Not a very restful
night! I did make it to the airport in plenty of time. Delta couldn’t check
my suitcase all the way to Sifia as there were too many coinnections. They
can only put in five connections (and I think the luggage tag can only show
5 connections). So, I’ll have to go through customs and immigration at
London’s Heathrow airport so I can pick up my bag and get it rechecked to
Sofia. On the brigjht side, however, I’ll know if my bag made it as far as
London. I’ve also got a small carryon with me that has my breathing machine
and a change of clothes just in case.

The flight to Salt Lake just crossed the Utah border and we’ve begun the
descent into the valley. The first leg of this 27+ hour trip to Sofia is
almost over.